CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - The finalists for 'Project Vesto' have been announced, narrowing down a category of hundreds to just a dozen.

Some 232 teams have submitted proposals to Project Vesto, a Nevada business competition offering $100,000 prize for the best idea. The Governor's Office of Economic Development is funding half the prize money.

The final voting will happen online.

“They now have an opportunity to notify their network of voters and develop creative ways to incentivize them to vote,” said Program Manager Daniel Herr.

“While I’m sure Project Vesto didn’t net 232 new businesses, it definitely helped get some new ones going and brought some notice to the fact that startups in Nevada need more attention,” said Walt Borland, President and CEO of NIREC. “The startup arena has become fairly vacant of investors, funding opportunities and deal-flow, but Vesto is a positive step in the right direction.”

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